Nine contestants will vie for title of Miss Posen
The Annual Miss Posen Pageant is set for Friday, Aug. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Posen High School. The pageant precedes the Posen Potato Festival which will be held Sept. 5-7. The new queen and her court will reign over the Festival as well as represent Posen at other events throughout the upcoming year.
Julia Lewandowski and Julie Nielsen are choreographing the opening number for this year’s pageant. Performing the duties of master of ceremonies will be Randy Idalski. Judging will be done by Ann Lange, Neil Seabase, and Kendra Truman.
This year nine talented young ladies are competing for the title of Miss Posen 2014. Each contestant will be evaluated in individual interviews that are held the day of pageant. During the pageant itself, they will be judged in the areas of coordination and fitness, poise and appearance (evening gown), and talent.
Contestants in alphabetical order are:
Erica Ataman, 17, daughter of John and Lisa Ataman, is a member of the National Honor Society (NHS), Educational Talent Search (ETS), pep club, trip club, volleyball and track. Following graduation, she plans to attend a university to study prosthetic design/electrical engineering.
Amy Elizabeth Buczkowski, 16, daughter of Terry and Laurie Buczkowski, is a member of Upward Bound, NHS, Trio Talent Search (TTS), trip club, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), youth group, volleyball, and softball. Following graduation, Amy plans on attending a 4-year university to study finance.
Brandi Chojnacki, 17, daughter of Terry and Kim Chojnacki, is a member of ski club, trip club, SADD, pep club, softball, and volleyball. She has also played roles in the plays “Alice in Wonderland,” “Aladdin,” “Honk Jr.,” and “The Little Mermaid.” Upon graduation, Brandi plans on taking her prerequisites at Alpena Community College (ACC) and then transferring to Central Michigan University.
Taylor Chojnacki, 17, daughter of Duane and Amy Chojnacki, is a member of SADD, trip club, ski club, ETS, pep club, softball, basketball, and volleyball. After graduation, she plans on attending ACC to pursue a degree in the medical field.
Paige Michelle Ciarkowski, 17, daughter of Allen and Michelle Ciarkowski, is a member of SADD, pep club, trip club, volleyball, softball, and NHS. Upon graduation, she plans to study radiology and/or become a radiation therapist.
Mercedes Kowalski, 16, daughter of Jerome and Justina Kowalski is a member of Student Council, trip club, TTS, Upward Bound, SADD, pep club, Youth Group, volleyball and softball. Following graduation, Mercedes would like to pursue a career in the dental or pharmaceutical field.
Elizabeth Mulka, 17, daughter of Mitchell and Angela Mulka is a member of Upward Bound, trip club, SADD, youth group, volle
Lauren Frances Romel, 17, daughter of Frank and Lori Romel is a member of Student Council, SADD, pep club, trip club, basketball, softball, and volleyball. Upon graduation Lauren plans to attend a university and pursue a career in the medical field.
Shianne Smolinski,17, daughter of Richard and Connie Smolinski, is a member of 4-H, pep club, trip club, SADD, and ski club. Following graduation, she plans to study engineering.
(Contestant portraits by Richard Lamb)